OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]

Expense from Acquisition Activities and Other Items

In the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recorded charges of $677 associated with acquisition activities.

Contract Settlement Charge

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded contract settlement charges of $2,100 associated with the termination and discounted buy-out of a commodities marketing and brokerage agreement.

Southbridge Landfill Closure Charge, Net

In June 2017, we initiated the plan to cease operations of the Southbridge Landfill as disclosed in Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies. Accordingly, in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded charges associated with the closure of the Southbridge Landfill as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Charlton settlement charge (1)	$	—	$	1,216
Legal and other costs (2)	555		370
Southbridge Landfill closure charge, net	$	555	$	1,586


(1)	We established a reserve associated with settlement of the Town of Charlton's claim against us. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosure.


(2)	We incurred legal costs as well as other costs associated with various matters as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosure.

Development Project Charge

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a development project charge of $311 associated with previously deferred costs that were written off as a result of the negative vote in a public referendum relating to the NCES landfill.